Re-forming machine



y 1943 J. M. HOTHERSALL 2,319,235

REFORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet l Mayjl8, 1943 J. M. HOTHERSALL 2,319,235 I I REFORMING MACHIYNE Filed Jan. 21', 1941 5 Sheets-:Sheet 2.

BY Au -flaw I ATTORNEYS 1 May 18,1943 J. M. HOTHEIRSALL 2,319,235

REFORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet s ATToENEK s.

Patented May 18, 1943 John M. Hothersall, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to American Can Company, New York, N. Y., a. corporation of New Jersey Application January 21, 1941, Serial N0. 375,326

9 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for roller or die forming sheet metal can parts and has particular relation to a machine for reforming the nozzle portions of can breast members so as to adapt the nozzle for the reception of a can spout member to be secured thereto.

The machine is specifically designed for reforming the nozzle portions of oil can breasts, wherein such cans are usually of elliptical cross section having an upper oval breast portion terminating in an integral central nozzle, in which latter is secured the usual elongated spout having an outer screw cap thereon. The can breast members having the nozzle portions thereof prepared and reformed for spout reception purposes in accordance with the present improvements, are thereafter double seamed to the can body. The latter is then filled, for example with lubricating oil, after which the elongated spout members are crimped or otherwis secured to the can breast nozzles and screw caps automatically applied to the outer threaded portions of the spouts.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the described character which is capable of rapid and efficient operation in successively reforming the said nozzle portions of preformed oil can breast members by means of rapidly rotating outer die rollers, having a configuration which it is desired to impart to the can breast nozzles, said rollers operating in conjunction with an inner bodily movable die or anvil element having a peripheral configuration complementary to that of the outer forming rollers.

A further important object of the invention is'to provide in such a machine automatic means for accurately locating a can breast nozzle to be reformed, relative to the outer roller forming and inner die or anvil elements.

A still further object is to provide a machine of the character described which is automatically operative to release the can breast locating anvil and die forming elements after the die forming operation, said machine being thereafter automatically operative to move the die elements and clamping devices to inoperative position for a sufiicient interval to permit a succeeding can part or breast to be positioned for a subsequent roller ie forming operation.

A still further object is to provide in such a mac'hine'means for automatically insuring the desired movements and operations in proper sequence and in synchronism so that smooth and efiici'e'nt functioning of the machine under practical operating conditions is insured.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a roller forming press machine constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail horizontal section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 1', on an enlarged scale.

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are detail views partially in I elevation and partly in vertical section of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3, but with the parts, including the forming rollers, respectively illustrated in different positions.

Fig. 8 is a detail vertical section on line 8-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view in side elevation of a completed can breast and nozzle after the reforming operation.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail of can nozzle parts in place for reforming and showing part of the adjoining mechanism of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the can parts or breasts are indicated at a, the same being preferably of oval or elliptical configuration in plan and provided with a central upstanding hollow cylindrical nozzle portion 1), designed for the reception of the usual elongated and tapered oil can spout.

The said can parts are designed to be successively fed by any appropriate and suitable feeding devices into position beneath the roller and die forming elements, which latter are automatically operative to descend, andv accurately locate thenozzle for the die forming operation.

At the conclusion of the reforming or neckingin of the .nozzle portion of the canbreast, the said die elements and clamping devices are automatically elevated to inoperative position for a sufficient interval to permit a succeeding can part or breast to be located relative to the dies, and the operation is repeated.

The machine comprises generally a frame including a bed portion I! having supporting legs or standards ll (Fig. I). The bed portion is provided at its opposite sides with vertically extending side frame members I 2 of similar construction which are joined or connected at their upper ends by a horizontal rigid irameelement or member l3. l

At the upper portion of the frame, a crank shaft 24 is journaled at its opposite ends in bearing members l5 suitably secured to the side frame elements l2. At its intermediate portion the said crank shaft is journaled in spaced hearing elements each disposed between a pair of frame elements it depending from the upper horizontal frame member l3, and a pair of split collar members ll removably secured to the said frame elements as by means of bolts 8. The end bearing members I5 are removably secured to the frame by means of suitable bolts Hi, thereby permitting installation and removal of the crank shaft in the machine. 7

A driving pulley having a hub 2i is keyed or secured to the crank shaft, whereby the latter may be driven at any desired speed from an appropriate power source.

p The crank shaft I4 is designed to impart vertical reciprocatory movement to a press slide member generally indicated at 22, and having slide portions 23 (Fig. 1) at its opposite sides providing sliding engagement within slideways formed in the oppositely disposed gib members 24 car ried in the side frame elements [2. For this purpose the crank shaft includes a pair of intermediate spaced crank elements or cheeks 25, one adjacent each side frame member and between the latter and an adjacent depending frame element it. Each crank element includes a depending connecting rod 28 journaled at its upper end to the crank shaft by means of a split bearing 27 and pivotally secured at its lower end as at 28 to suitably disposed bearing bracket members 23a carried by the upper or cross head portion of the slide member 22 at intermediate Portions thereof.

The press slide member 22 is or may be cut away, countersunk or webbed at intervals, as shown at 3!, as an economical expedient, and also to decrease the weight of the member.

At its central portion the press slide member 22 is provided with a recess 32 of right angular t configuration and defined by outwardly projecting integral web members or portions 33 of the press slide. Said recess is designed to house for sliding engagement therewithin the press forming head generally indicated at34, and as best seen in Fig. 2 is preferably substantially square in cross section. The forming head is removably confined within the recess 32 of the press slide member by means of removable cover guide plates 35 secured to the press slide memher by means of bolts 36 and which guide plate members extend inwardly over opposite front wall portions of the forming head 34.

As best seen in Fig. 3, the forming head 34 includes an intermediate elongated hollow shank portion Bl terminating at its upper end in an enlarged shouldered portion 38 normally resting on and supported by a surrounding shoulder 33 or" the press slide member. Said'shank ter minates at its lowerend in an enlarged hollow head element M! which is open at its lower end and serves as'a housing for operativeelements and devices of the machine to be described. The open upper end of the forming head is closed by a suitable cover plate member 3311 having a houldered fit on the enlarged shouldered portion 38 of the head. Vertical movement of the forming head relative to and within the press slide member in an upward direction, is limited by engagement of a surrounding shoulder 4| of the head with a vertically aligned lower shoulder 42 of the press slide member.

A housing member 43 for the forming rollers is rotatably mounted within the forming head and includes an intermediate hollow cylindrical shank portion 44 terminating at its lower end in an enlarged head portion 45, which is suitably cut away as at 46 for the purpose of accommodating operative parts contained and carried therewithin.

At its upper end the hollow shank threadedly engages a nut or thrust collar member 41 which seats against the inner rotatable race of an upper anti-frictionbearing 43. The outer stationary race of said bearing is seated upon a shoulder 49 of the forming head shank 31. A non-rotatable spacer collar 01' bushing member 50 is disposed between said bearing and the upper cover plate member 38a of the forming head and may have a driving fit within the hollow shank 37 of the head.

'A sleeve member 5lwhich may-rotate with the roller, housing member 43 is disposed between the inner race of upper anti-friction bearing 48 and the rotatable inner race ,of a lower anti-friction bearingindicated at 52. The outer non-rotatable race of said latter mentioned bearing member is seated against a lower shouldered portion 53 of the hollow shank portion 3'! of the forming head. The lower end of the inner rotatable race of said bearing seats against, a peripheral shoulder 54 of the enlarged head portion 45 of the forming roller housing 43.

A pair of forming roller elements are pivotally mounted upon suitable studs 62 fixed in the cut away portion 46 of the roller housing head 45, and each includes an upper jaw part 63 having an outwardly tapered inner wedge face 64, said jaw elements also having at'their lower ends a stud 65 terminating in a reduced threaded part 66. A forming roller 61 is journaled upon each stud 65 and is rotatably maintained in place thereon by a headed bushing 68 threaded upon said reduced part 65. A presser foot 69 is disposed adjacent and outwardly of each formin roller 61 and terminates in an inwardly extending tapered shoe HI spaced from and extending beneath the enlarged lower head ll of the forming roller.

In the lowered position of the forming head the presser foot tapered shoe'lfl is spaced slightly above the bottom of the presser foot stud arm 69, as shown in Fig. '7. The lower head portion of the rollers 61 is of angular configuration the'bottom roller surfaces being parallel to the upper surfaces of the shoes 10. Such an angular shape is such as to best perform the desired necking-in operation on the can breast nozzles, as will be hereinafter explained;

Each presser foot 68 terminates at its upper end in a reduced part 12 seated within a recess in the forming head wall and is maintained against rotation or movement relative to the formingrollers by means of a pin or key 13 extending through said reduced part 72 and seated within a bore of the head 43.

A wedge member in the form of a hollow cylinderhavinga shank portion and an enlarged conical or inwardly tapered lower head portion 53 is mounted for rotary and sliding movement within the hollow shank 440i the forming roller housing member 43. Said conical head portion of the wedge element is designed to engage and actuate the forming rollers E? for the forming operation under appropriate conditions by enaagement thereof with the outwardly inclined tapered surfaces of the jaw part 63-. Normally the said jaw part of each forming roller element is maintained engaged against the conical wedge portion, which latter normally is in uppermost raised position, by means of a circular contractile coil spring 8i housed within an annular groove or recess 82 of the forming roller housing head 45, so as to press inwardly against the outer walls of the jaw parts 63. The tension of the said spring maintains the forming rollers 51 in their outermost position on their pivot studs 62 when the wedge and elements connected thereto are in uppermost position.

The upper end of said shank 55 of the wedge member has threaded engagement wth a socket or recess disposed within the reduced lower end 51a of a rotatable cup member 51. The latter supports an upper thrust bearing 58, the outer rotatable race of which is firmly seated within a i central recess 59 of said cup member. The inner stationary or non-rotatable race of the thrust bearing is fitted upon a dependinghollow shank portion 69 of a non-rotatable bushing having an outwardly extending top flange 6| which overhangs said inner stationary race of the thrust bearing 58.

The lower reduced end 57a of the cup member 51 engages the upper end of a compression spring 96, the lower end of said sprin seating against the base of a cut away portion 97 formed between the shank 44 of the rotary roller housing 43 and wedge shank 55 and in one or both walls of said shanks, and preferably in the wall of the roller housing shank 44. The tension of said spring normally maintains the said wedge element in uppermost raised position, so as to permit contractile spring 8! to maintain the forming rollers 61 in normal outermost position radially of a forming anvil therebetween.

The said hollow shank B of the bushing receives and non-rotatably supports the upper end of an inner sleeve or hollow spindle 14 on which the hollow shank of the wedge member is journaled for rotary and sliding movement. The lower end of the said non-rotating spindle projects beneath the forming head and terminates adjacent and between the forming rollers 67.

. Said hollow sleeve or spindle houses the shank portion or stem of a depending headed locating anvil or die element 19, shaped to conform to the configuration of the portions H of the rollers 67 for a die formin operation on the can part, and which terminates at its lower end in a pilot pin or stud TI. The anvil portion 18 carries and has secured thereto at its upper enlarged end, a ring like member 19 which depends and isfspaced slightly outwardly from the anvil member so as to provide a clearance therebetween slightly in excess of the thickness of the sheet metal of the can breast nozzle element to be reformed.

The stem 15 of the anvil is supported for limited vertical movement within the inner hollow sleeve or spindle 14 by means of a transverse projecting. pin 19, th opposite end or ends of which are received :by and seated in one or more elongated recesses or slots at the lower portion of said spindle. Vertical movement of the anvil and its stem relative to the spindle and forming rollers is thereby permitted within the limits defined by the longitudinal extent of said slot or slots 89. Normally the stem and its anvil are in the depending outermost position, as illustrated in Fig. 3, with the pin 19 gravitally engaging the lower extremity of the recess and spaced above the c n breast nozzle to be operated upon.

The cover plate member 38a isv suitably recessed on its lower face as at 83 for the reception of the horizontal flange .part SI of the stationary bushing which supports the upper end of the inner stationary sleeve or spindle l4, and said cover member is further recessed on its under face as at 84 for th reception of the lower flange of a cap plate member having a central vertical stud portion 85 seated within a central recess 86 of the cover plate.

Said flange 84 is seated upon the upper end of the inner stationary hollow spindle 14. Said cover plate is further apertured, preferably at spaced circular intervals, as indicated at 81 for the reception therein of a plurality of vertically disposed thrust pins 88, the lower ends of which are seated on the flange 6! of the bushing, while the upper ends of said lthrust pins project ver tically above the top surface ofthe cover plate member 38a of the forming head 'andintothe re cess 32 of press slide member 22.

' From the structure it will be apparent that the forming head 34 is non-rotatably supported by the press slid member 22, (but is capable of limited vertical movement relative thereto within limits defined by the shoulders 4i and 42 of the forming head and press slide member respec tively. The forming roller housing 43 and parts carried inwardly thereof, with the exception of the stationary spindle 14, are rotatably mounted within and relative to the forming head 34, to the end that a. high speed of bodily rotation may be given to the forming rollers 61 around the inner stationary spindle 14 and the depending stationary or now-rotatable anvil member 16.

The forming roller housing head 45 is suitably recessed as at 89 for the reception of an endless belt member 90, which may be of the V--type (see also 2). The belt member also passes over a pulley 9| on a vertical shaft 92 journaled in a bearing 93 of a bearing bracket 94 secured as by bolts 95 to the bed H! of the machine fram at the rear thereof. The shaft 92 and its pulley are drivenat any desired speed by a source of power (not shown) derived from the machine or from an outside source, so as to'impart the desired speed of bodily rotation to the forming rollers relative to the work.

A stationary block 98 is supported on the bed portion H! of the frame and in turn yieldab-ly supports in spaced relation therefrom and within a central recess 98a thereof (Figs. 3 'and 8), a can breast supporting plate or pad member 99 by means of compression springs I00. Said'springs are seated at their upper ends in suitable recesses or sockets In! in the plate Or pad and corresp0nding sockets [02 in the'block'. Vertical movement of the pad in an upward direction under pressure of the springs I 00 is limited by engagement. of oppositely disposed laterally projecting flange portions 99a thereof (Fig. 8) with inwardly pro jecting portion or lug extensions 9% of adjacently and oppositely disposed retaining lblocks 990. These retaining blocks are rigidly and removabliy secured in positionon )the block 98- by means of screw elements 99d or other appropriate securing means.

The pad 99 is centrallyapertured at 23 and in vertical. or longitudinal alignment with the pilot pin 11 for the slidable reception therethrough of a vertically extending hollow die element or forming post I04, having an upper centrally disposed reduced aperture Hi5 adapted to receive the pilotpln II when the latter is in lowermost or depressed position during operation of the machine (Figs. 6 and 7). The lower enlarged end I06 (Fig. 3) of the die element I04 is seated within a suitable recess I01 in block 98, said lower enlarged end being threaded for the reception therein of the end of a clamping screw I08 disposed in the central bore of block 98 and having an en larged head I08a seated within a recess I081) in the bottom of the block 98, and by means of which screw the lower di element or forming post I04 is capable of vertical adjustment.

As best seen in Figs. 1 and 4 the press slide member 22 is provided with a central upward extension I09 which is suitably cut away so as to provide an intermediate reduced recessed portion IIO merging into an upper enlarged recess II I and a lower enlarged portion I I2.

A removable cover plate element II3 normally closes the forward open portion of the recess in the press slide extension I09 and is secured thereto by means of bolt or screw elements II4. Said press slide extension I09 and cover plate II3 together serve to movably house a hollow cam sleeve member I I having a substantially'fiat top Wall IIS on which is provided a spaced bearing bracket II! for a shaft II8 on which a cam roller H9 is journaled. Said cam roller at appropriate predetermined and synchronized intervals is designed to be engaged by an edge cam element I having an intermediate curved cam surface I20a', and opposite 'angularly disposed straight cam surfaces I20!) and I200. Said cam element I20'is keyed as at I2I to the crank shaft l4 between two split collar elements I22.

The ca'm sleeve member I I5 houses a relatively heavy compression spring I23 bearing at its upper end against the top wall IIS and engaging at its lower end an enlarged head I24a of a stem or post element I24 slidably contained within a bore I25 provided in the press slide member. The tension of said springmaintains the said post element I24 in lowermost position with its enlarged head pressed into engagement with a retaining stop plate I28 removably secured to a flanged lower portion 511 of the cam sleeve II5 by means of a screw I2I or other securing element.

Light compression springs I23a are housed within the enlarged portion III of.the said press slide member recess and bear at their upper ends against the top member H5 of the cam Sleeve, thereby tending to maintain the same in uppermost position in the path of travel of the cam I20. The vertical position of the cam roller H9 carried by said cam sleeve relative to the cam I20 may be adjustably determined.

The lower end of the post I24 has threaded engagement with an adjusting lock nut I28 bearing against the wall of a recess I28a in the press slide member 22 and by means of which the tension of spring I23 may be varied as desired, and also the vertical position of cam roller II9 relative to rotating cam I20.

A rockerjpl-ate member I29 is threaded or otherwise secured to the lower end of the post member I24, the lower curved surface I29a of said plate having rocking engagement with a lower plate or disk element I30, also secured in any suitable manner to the'lower end of post element I24. Suitable compression springs I3I are disposed within the upper portion of the central recess 32 of the press slide member, bearing at their upper ends against said member and at their lower ends against the cover plate 38a of the forming head 34 (see Fig. 3).

The purpose of said springs is to yieldably resist vertical movement of the forming head relative to the press slide member under operative conditions, to the end that smooth operation and absence of undue or sudden relative movement between said members, is insured.

It will be understood that the edge cam member I20 is so positioned circumferentially of the crank shaft I4 as to have its rotary movement synchronized with the rise and fall of the press slide member 22, as the latter is vertically reciprocated by the crank shaft I4. The purpose of the straight cam surface I20b is to depress the wedge into engagement with the forming roller jaws so as to move the rollers 61 into operative engagement with the can breast nozzle to be reformed. The purpose of the intermediate uniformly curved peripheral surface I20a of the said cam is to maintain the said rollers in engaged position with the can breast nozzle during and until completion of the reforming operation. The purpose of the straight edge cam surface I200 is to release the wedge 56 from the forming roller jaws after the reforming operation, thereby permitting elevation of said wedge member by the tension exerted by compression spring 96 (Fig. 3).

This permits said forming rollers 61 to be returned to normal and radial outermost position away from the work by the compression exerted by contractile coil spring 8| and to permit the reformed can nozzle and breast to be removed from engagement with the forming rolls and the substitution therefore of a succeeding breast nozzle to be reformed by the rollers 67.

The sequence of operations of the"described' mechanism for reforming and necking-in the nozzle portions of the oil can breasts is as fol-' lows:

The said breast members a whichmay be of generally oval shape and having a centrally disposed'upstanding cylindrical nozzle portion 17 are successively fed in any suitable and approved manner to a substantially central position on the spring pressed plate or yieldable pad member 99, and into the position illustrated in Fig. 3. The rotation of the crank shaft I4 at one stage of its cycle depresses the press slide member 22 and its supported. forming head 34 until the pilot pin 11 and its associated locating anvil I6 are inserted into the breast nozzle 1), as shown in Fig. 5. This movement placing the parts as in Fig. 5, also causes engagement of the ring-like member I3, carried by the anvil, over the upper peripheral end of the nozzle and serves to accurately center the breast member for the subsequent operations to be performed on the nozzle portion thereof.

The pilot pin 'II, during this partial descent of the press slide member into the position of Fig. 5, strikes home within the forming post I04. The pin thereupon stops in its descent and the stem I5 on which the pilot pin is carried, together with the pin I9, remains in this position while the press slide member continues its further descent. In this movement, the spindle I4 slides down around the stem I5, the upper end of the elongated slot being brought down toward the pin I9.

During this movement and just before reaching the position shown in Fig. 6, the oppositely disposed presser feet 69 engage opposite ends of the yieldable pad member 99. Thereupon the pad member is depressed against'the action of the compression springs I finally coming into the position of Fig. 6.

It is during this last movement of the press slide member and while the pad 99 is beingv depressed that the lower die element or forming post I04 is exposed above the pad surface. Simultaneously, the pilot pin 11. resumes its descent as the breast member being lowered with'the pad moves down over the forming post, The nozzle portion of the breast is thus'firmly reenforced internally at its upper and lower portions for the subsequent necking-in operation tolbe performed. I o

At this stage of the operation the press slide member 22 has reached the lowermost limit of its travel (Fig. 6)-so that the forming head thereupon remains'stationary while the reforming action takes place. In this reforming op eration, the desired necking-in of the ".oil; can

breast nozzle is performed by the now properly positioned forming rollers 61,

A straight cam surface 12% of cam I20 on the crank shaft I4 (Fig. 4) engages the cam roller H9 and depresses cam sleeve I ISagainst' the tension of the heavy and light compression springs I23, I23a, due to the heavier resistance of spring I23. Post I24, rocker plate member I29 and disk I30 are yieldably depressed, thereby in turnengaging and depressing the circumferentially spaced thrust pins 88 (see. also Fig.3). The bushing which comprises the parts 60, 0!, the thrust bearing 58, rotating cup member 51, and the elongated hollow cylindrical wedge member 55, 56 are also depressed. This movement is relative to the inner non-rotating sleeve 14, and also to the rapidly rotating housing '43 carrying the forming rollers 61. This'action'is against the tension of the compression sprin 96;;

During this depression of parts 'just described, the wedge portion 56 of the wedge member moves down between the jaw elements'or wedge cam portions 63 of thepivotally mounted forming rolls.

wardly against the intermediate portion for the can breast nozzle b so as toindent and neck-in the same, as shown in'Fig. 7 This completes-the necking-in ofthe can breast'nozzle. The' timing of this partgof the cycle 'ofreforming byfthe rollers is determined by the time of engagement cam surface I20a with the pam' of a curved roller I I9;

It will beunderstood'that thepres's slider'nern-v ber, the forming head and parts carried thereby remain in thelowered position ofli'ig'..16Qv'v IiiI E:.- the crank of the crank shaft ispas'sin'g" through the bottorrnor dwell stroke of the press; This allows suflicient timefor the work of theforming rollers just described.

engaged from the roller,'th'e cam sleeve. conimences to rise to its normalposition .(Fig. 4) under" the influence of the ,li'ght" compression As soon asthe cam surface IZlla becomes disesprings 123a. This movementjoccurs duringfjthe g travel -of a straight cam surface Icfover-the camroller H9; The'said elevating actionper-V mits compression'spring 916 to again Ielevatethe.

Such movement forces the wedge cams. outwardly so that the rollers are press'edjin f plate member I29 and disk member I are elevated by the aforesaid compression springs I23a, at the same time 'serving'to relieve tension on heavy compression spring I23. The tension of this latter spring exerted on the forming rollers permits the latter to perform the necking-in operation under a yielding, as distinguished from a rigid strain, thereby insuring against undue damage or distortion of the can breast nozzle during the necking-in operation. In other words, the operation of reforming the can breast nozzle from the configurationshown in Fig. 5 to that shown in Figs. 7 and 9, is performed under a yielding but substantial pressure which is suflicient to accomplish the desired result.

The anvil member 16 and pilot pin 11 inserted in the can breast nozzle and lower die element I04 serve to backupthe nozzle from Within at its opposite ends to further insure proper performance of operation by the forming rollers. The completed necked-in condition of the can breast nozzle is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 9.

Immediately after the rollers 61 have been urged to their normal outward position by elevation of the wedge member and the compression of coil spring 8|, the shoulder 39 of the press slide member 22 engages the upper shouldered portion 38 of the forming head, and continued movement of the'connecting rods 25 in their upward cycle'elevates the forming head 3 into the normal inoperative position shown in Fig. 3. Inner non-rotatable sleeve or spindle 14 carried by the forming head is also elevated, moving with it locating anvil 16 and pilot pin 11, by reason of the engagement of said sleeve with the pin 19, which at this time is in engagement with the lower. end of slot 80.

When the stem 15, the'anvil 16 and pilot pin 11 first begin to move upwardly and away from the forming post Hi l, the formed nozzle and breast parts may also start .to lift from the surface of the pad9l9'; 'This lifting action, however, is prevented by the overhanging shoe sections 10 of the; :presser fe'etIiS. Such shoe sections therefore act as stripping elements and free the formed nozzle parts from. the, anvil. i

This release of the forming head parts from the reformed .can' breast permits the latter and spring pressed plate or pad 99'to be again elevated by the compression springs m0 into said normal inoperative position of Fig. 3. Lower die element or forming post I'M'isthereby retracted into the supportingpad member so that the completed can breast with its reformed nozzle element b may be removed for further operations,'

for example'the insertion and securing of a spout member to the reformed nozzle portion thereof.

The completed cannozzle is best seen in Fig. 9 wherein it will be'notedlthe described reforming operation of the rollers 61 and the anvil 16 retherewith in a subsequent operation. I

Itwill beunde'rstood that the described operations are successively performed upon appropriately positioned or fed can breast members during each, cycle of the crank shaft, the speed of which may be appropriately determined and regulated by the driving speed of pulley 20. The speed of the forming rollers 61 as they spin about the can breast nozzle may also be varied by appropriate regulation of the driving speed of shaft 92 (Fig. 2).

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim:

1. In a machine for roller forming the nozzle portion of a sheet metal can breast, the combination of means for yieldably supporting the can breast, said means including a stationary can breast centering element, forming rolls engageable with and bodily rotatable around said nozzle portion and movable into and out of engagement therewith for performing a necking-in operation thereon, a vertically movable pilot post engageable with said centering element throughsaid nozzle portion to accurately center the latter relative to said forming rolls, means for positioning said forming rolls in lateral registry with said nozzle portion, means for bodily rotating said rolls, means for forcing said rolls inwardly against the nozzle wall to perform a necking-in operation thereon during said bodily rotation of the rolls, and means movable into engagement with said yieldable can breast supporting means to depress the latter relative to said stationary centering element as an incident to said neckingin operation.

2. In a machine for roller forming the nozzle portion of a sheet metal can part, the combination of a vertically yieldable pad for supporting the can part, means including a forming post projecting through said pad and extending thereabove when the pad is depressed for holding the can part during forming, forming rolls engageable with and bodily rotatable around said nozzle I in spaced relation thereto, means for moving said forming rolls into lateral registry with said nozzle and for depressing said pad as an incident thereto, a pilot element also movable with said roll moving means for engaging said forming post through said nozzle to accurately center the latter relative to said rolls as said pad is depressed, means for bodily moving said rolls around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, and means for moving said laterally registered rolls into engagement with the nozzle wall to perform a necking-in operation thereon during said bodily movement of the rolls.

3. In a machine for roller forming the nozzle portion of a sheet metal can breast, the combination of a pad for supporting the can breast, means including a forming post projecting through said pad, forming rolls normally disposed above said can breast and having means for moving the same into lateral registry with said nozzle, said roll moving means being further operable to engage and depress said can breast supporting pad relative to said forming post, an anvil member also movable with said rolls for engaging said forming post interiorly of .said nozzle to accurately center the latter relative to said rolls as said pad is depressed, means for bodily rotating said rolls around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, and means for moving said laterallyrregistered rolls into engagement with vthe nozzle wall to force the same inwardly against said anvil member, whereby to perform a necking-in operation on said nozzle during said bodily rotation of the rolls therearound. I

4. In a machine for roller forming the nozzle portion of a sheet metal can part, the combination of a vertically yieldable pad for supporting the can part, means including .a forming post projecting through said pad and extending thereabove when the pad is depressed, forming rolls engageable with and bodily rotatable around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, a crank shaft for moving said forming rolls into lateral registry with said nozzle, said crank shaft being further operable to depress said can part supporting pad relative to said forming post, a pilot element also movable with said roll moving means for engaging said forming post through said nozzle to accurately center the latter relative to said rolls as said pad is depressed, means for bodily rotating said rolls around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, and cam actuated wedging devices synchronized with the movement of said crank shaft for engaging and moving said laterally registered rolls inwardly into engagement with the nozzle wall to perform a necking-in operation thereon during said bodily rotation of the rolls.

5. In a machine-for roller forming the nozzle portion of a sheet metal can breast part, the combination of a pad for supporting the can breast part, means including a forming post projecting into said pad, pivotally mounted forming rolls engageable with and bodily rotatable around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, each of said rolls including a movable jaw part having a wedge face, means for lowering said forming rolls into lateral registry with said nozzle, said lowering means having means thereon for depressing said pad relative to said forming post, a pilot element also movable by said roll lowering means for engaging said forming post through said nozzle to accurately center the latter relative to said rolls as said pad is depressed, means for bodily rotating said rolls around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, and a vertically reciprocable spring pressed wedge member engageable'with the wedge faces of said jaw parts for moving said laterally registered rolls inwardly on their pivotal mountings into engagement with the nozzle wall to perform a necking-inoperation thereon during saidbodily rotation of the rolls. V I

6. In a machine for roller forming the nozzle portion of a sheet metal can part, the combination of a pad for supporting the can part, means including a forming post projecting into said pad,

pivotally mounted forming rolls engageable with and bodily rotatable around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, means for depressing said pad to project said forming post therethrough, means for moving said forming rolls into lateral registry with said nozzle in timed relation with the depression of said pad, a pilot element movable by said roll moving means for engaging said forming post through said nozzle to accurately center the latter relative to said rolls, means for bodily moving said rolls around said nozzle in spaced relation thereto, and a cam actuated vertically reciprocable Wedge member adapted tobe moved into engagement with said laterally registered rolls to .move the sameinwardly against the nozzle wall to perform a necking-1n operation thereon during said body rotation of therolls;

I 7.. a machine for reforming the nozzle per-j tions of sheet metal can breasts, the combination of a vertically reciprocable press slide member, a forming head carried by said slide member and movable vertically relative thereto, a rotatable housing contained within said forming head, forming rollers carried by said'housing, an anvil die member carried by said forming head between said rollers and movable vertically relative thereto, said die member being norm-ally disposed beneath said rollers and including a can part centering pilot pin, a yieldable pad for supporting the can part to be reformed, a stationary forming post adapted to be projected through said pad in vertical alignment with said die member, said post having a central aperture therein, means for depressing aid press slide member to engage said pilot pin with said forming post within said nozzle to accurately center the latter and the can breast relative to said anvil and forming rollers, said depressing movement disposing said anvil die member interiorly of said nozzle, said depressing means being also operable to depress said yieldable pad with its centered can breast relative to said forming post to expose the latter while aligning said forming rollers with said nozzle on opposite sides thereof, and means for bodily rotating said forming rollers around said nozzle and for pressing the rollers inwardly against the side wall of the nozzle while the same is backed up by the exposed forming post, so as to perform a necking-in operation on the nozzle.

8. In a machine for reforming the nozzle portions of sheet metal can breasts, the combination of a vertically reciprocable press slide member, :3

a forming head carried by said slide member and movable vertically relative thereto, a rotatable housing contained within said forming head, forming rollers pivotally mounted in said housing and having resilient means cooperating therewith for normally holding the same in inoperative position, a hollow wedge element slidably mounted in said housing and movable vertically relative to said rollers, a non-rotatable hollow spindle carried by said forming head and extending through said hollow wedge element, an anvil die member carried by said spindle between said rollers and movable vertically relative thereto and to said spindle, said die member being normally disposed beneath said rollers and including a can part centering pilot pin, a yieldable pad for supporting the can part to be reformed, a stationary forming post adapted to be projected through said pad in vertical alignment with said die member, said post having a central aperture therein, a rotating crank shaft for depressing said press slide member to engage said pilot pin with said forming post within said nozzle to accurately center the latter and the can breast relative to said anvil and forming rollers, said depressing movement disposing said anvil die member interiorly of said nozzle, said crank shaft being thereafter operable to further depress said slide member to lower said yieldable pad with its centered can breast relative to said forming post to expose the latter and to align said forming rollers with said nozzle on opposite sides thereof, means for depressing said wedge element to engage and rock said rollers into engagement with the exterior wall of said nozzle to press the same against said anvil die member, and means for bodily rotating said rollers around said nozzle wall while the rollers are yieldingly urged into engagement therewith while said nozzle is interiorly backed up by the exposed forming post, to effect a die-forming operation on said nozzle.

9. In a machine for roll forming can parts having interior and exterior walls, the combination of a yieldable depressible pad for supporting the can part to be formed, a die element projecting through said pad and extending thereabove only when the paid is depressed, roll forming means movable into and out of engagement with said part for performing a forming operation thereon, a reciprocable head carrying said roll forming means and for moving the same into lateral registry with said can part, means carried by said head and movable therewith and with said roll forming means for depressing said pad to project said die element therethrough into engagement with the interior wall of said can part for centering said part relative to said roll forming means, and means for moving said roll forming means inwardly into engagement with the exterior wall of said can part to be roll formed thereby While said part is interiorly supported by said die element for the forming operation. JOHN M. HOTHERSALL. 

